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    wallacecd's Avatar
    wallacecd Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 1, 2011, 08:27 AM
    Running drainage pipe from outside house / connecting to main drain line
    Outside rain water collect on one side of my house and because of improper grading actually pools up. Regarding is not a practical option because the surrounding area is quite a bit higher than the elevation of the structure and the property line to which I could grade down to is extremely close to mine and still would not allow me access for normal runoff because that property is higher than mine.
    In order to solve the problem, I would like to create a water capture system on that low side of the house and run a pipe through the cinder block basement wall and hook into the main drainage line. In total, I would need to run about 50 feet of drainage pipe.
    I would install a Ptrap before entry into the main drain pipe and a couple of cleanout plugs.
    Can anyone tell me if what is the smallest diameter pipe I can get away with using or if I need to install a vent pipe at a certain intervals or ?
    Any help and suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #2

    Sep 1, 2011, 08:52 AM
    Just to clarify - your intent is to drain storm water run-off into your sewer? That is not a good idea, and is most likely illegal, especially if your community has separate sanitary and storm water sewers. You would have to figure a way to drain the storm run-off from behind your house to the storm drain system at the street.
    wallacecd's Avatar
    wallacecd Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Sep 1, 2011, 09:22 AM
    Thank you for your response. I already have my wife working on the legality issue and, of course, will abide by the rules. But can you tell me more about why it is not a good idea? Is only because it may possibly be illegal or could there logistical issues?
    Much appreciated!
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #4

    Sep 1, 2011, 09:34 AM
    1. Legal issues.
    2. Pollution issues - the reason municipalities have separate storm sewers from sanitary is to prevent overflow of sewage into waterways when storms hit. If you divert your storm water into the sanitary sewer you are placing a much heavier and unnecessary burden on your city's sewage treatment plant, and hence contributing to pollution of waterways.
    3. Possibility that you may overwhelm your sewer connection pipe with more water than it can handle. Purposely bringing large volumes of storm water through a drainage pipe into your basement is asking for trouble.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #5

    Sep 1, 2011, 09:38 AM
    I totally agree with ebaines on this. City codes will not allow this and if you were on a septic your water loog and ruin it in one heavy rain. Your best bet is to create a collection pit and french drain, then pump the water out to a lower spot or storm sewer.
    wallacecd's Avatar
    wallacecd Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Sep 1, 2011, 10:04 AM
    Thanks again for your response.
    To clarify a bit more, I am not talking about a huge area. Even during a downpour at the rate of 3-4 inches an hour - and assuming it rains an hour - I calculate purhaps 150 gallons would be drained during an hour.
    Unless I can find an outside sump pump I am stumped to a solution other than what I've presented.
    Any ideas would be great!
    Thanks!
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #7

    Sep 1, 2011, 11:41 AM
    Install a pit box and a sewerage ejector pump or a sumersible sump pump. Run the water to a lower area and dump it on a stone bed.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #8

    Sep 1, 2011, 11:56 AM
    can you tell me more about why it is not a good idea? Is only because it may possibly be illegal or could there logistical issues?
    Sure can! In my county it's illegal to put anything except gray water and sewage in the city sewer.
    No rain water runoff, no AC condensate no softener backwash or sump pump discharge.
    The reason being that everything that goes into the sewage plant has to be processed like it was sewage.
    This ups the cost of processing what comes in the plant and the extra cost is passed on to the customer. I ow of very few counties that will allow thus so better check with your local Building Department, Good luck, Tom
    puffmugs's Avatar
    puffmugs Posts: 184, Reputation: 21
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    #9

    Sep 1, 2011, 02:01 PM
    I would go with ebaines answers. Besides the code issues, point number 3 would be a big reason. Where I am from, the older parts of the city and older suburbs have combination storm and sanitary sewers and their basemnts are constantly flooding with storm water when they is a rain storm, so if you tie a storm sewer into a sanitary sewer you are just looking for trouble.
    wallacecd's Avatar
    wallacecd Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Sep 1, 2011, 03:02 PM
    Thanks to everyone for their input and response.

    MA0641 has presently a solution. It will require some wiring, but it seems like a logical way to go.

    Anyone working on a Solar Powered Sump Pump?
    ladybrady77's Avatar
    ladybrady77 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #11

    Jun 21, 2012, 10:33 AM
    Were do I go to find out were my drainage lines are located under my house?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #12

    Jun 21, 2012, 10:41 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ladybrady77 View Post
    were do i go to find out were my drainage lines are located under my house?
    Are you on a slab or a crawl space? Back ton you. Tom
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